Hale Aina Happenings: Keep Wining

By Martha Cheng

“We’ve got the Greens part of Greens and Vines down,” says owner Sylvia Thompson. “Now, we’re going for the Vines side.” In addition to being Honolulu’s raw and vegan champions, she and hubby Pete Thompson are some of the most avid wine enthusiasts around town, and, with their new happy hour, they’re opening up their wine list to the rest of us at bargain prices. Plus, every wine is offered by the glass, even the most expensive bottle.

“Our wine list is the best it’s ever been, with a good balance of French, Italian, California (wines) and from all over the world,” Thompson says. Also available: sakes, such as the Tamagawa “Time Machine” from Kinoshita Brewery, an aged sake which resembles a port in sweetness and color.

5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday

HASR Bistro starts serving breakfast: Starting Saturday, September 6, HASR opens early, serving omelets, corned beef hash and banana Fosters pancakes. Need a bottle of bubbly to go with breakfast? There’s no corkage fee when you pick up a bottle from HASR Wine Co. next door, which opens at 10 a.m. on Saturdays.

8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays

Join Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat for a winemaker dinner at Vino. Master sommelier Chuck Furuya says of Clendenen: "He is one of the real and true game changers of California, not only because he championed the once little-known Santa Barbara appellation, but more importantly, he has continually featured an Old World sensibility, purity and balance in his wines, even during the times when big, lavish, opulent and loud wines were in fashion." In addition to the five-course meal prepared by Vino, expect to taste some of Clendenen’s "most unique and vanguard" wines, says Furuya.

Have you voted for your favorite restaurants yet? Vote in HONOLULU Magazine’s Hale Aina Awards, now in its 31st year.

Vote now, and you’ll get 10 percent off your ticket to the Hale Aina awards event, Sunday, November 9, at The Royal Hawaiian, where we announce the winners and you get to graze from a dozen restaurants serving food, including Roy’s, Morimoto and Stage. You have until September 15 to cast your ballot.

About This Blog

From five-star restaurants to hidden holes-in-the-wall, Biting Commentary will let you know what’s hot and what’s not. Find out the latest restaurant news—who’s opening, who’s closing, which chef is moving on, where the great special dinners are. Discover the best menu items, fabulous wines, stunning cocktails and hand-crafted beers.